Recently, the MP of my constituent gave a rather lengthy account of what how she felt about the worsening state of lawlessness and shared what she has done for the Geylang which is within her purview. Here's my take and I'll also be replying direct to her via FB.
1. I learnt (maybe we just happen to just miss each other) she conducts day and night visits. In addition, she adds that she initiated stakeouts and surveillance with relevant residents and stakeholders. I wonder who are the residents she working with at Jalan Suka - Lorong 24? To date, I have no idea or should I say we, have no idea! Besides these, has she evaluated how effective has that been? The streets here, i.e. Lorong 24, Jalan Suka and Jalan Molek continue to experience high level of vice activities as well crowding issues.
2. The MP has also claimed that they managed to sort out and solved many issues based on targeted approach. What are the so-called targeted approaches? More importantly, what are the many issues that they have solved? What really matters to the residents are our safety, regardless of perceived as well as the tangible aspect of it. Nothing has changed and it's getting worse!
3. She claims the lighting up of dark back lanes helped. I beg to differ. Let’s take Lorong 24 and Jalan Suka for instance. As a resident here since the day I’m born, it’s clear to us that the lighting of back streets not only make didn’t deter the vice operators, it actually enhanced that. No longer the prostitutes, the gambling dens, moonlighting PRC barbers and contraband cigarette seller need to find means and ways for potential customers to locate them. Now you can see them, easily and clearly.
4. We have also been informed that due to her effort, CCTVs are installed at strategic location. That has just touched a raw nerve. The CCTVs are there alright but nothing of consequence comes out of it. Gambling dens continue to operate right in front of them at least on certain weekdays and especially on weekends. The recent video by the New Paper journalist that has gone viral is something which I’m sure SPF can see the exact same thing, from the comfort of their operations/control room on a daily basis (if they are actually working or someone is actually monitoring). What did authorities do that load of footage? Nothing! Maybe they use it in the event of gang fights murders and rioting, but I’m doubtful as the police here seem rather afraid and have lost a lot of credibility in the hearts and minds of the residents.
5. Finally, I must say I was very disturbed and appalled when I learnt the MP actually proposed to regulate prostitution. Is she admitting the problem is getting too big to the extent that we have to resort to accepting the fact that lawlessness is here to stay, hence let’s strike a so-called ‘win-win outcome’ for the residents and the vice operators? This is not just a prostitution problem; it’s also human trafficking! Is the government endorsing it? Is it right to even to allow the current practice (of not doing anything) so that girls and women are ‘imported’ to serve the needs of certain, large segments of our rank and file foreign workers and the locals?
6. As said, though I applaud the MP’s admission of not giving up on the cause but I have to conclude that they are largely ineffective. She’s a MP and if she says it’s frustrating for us. She belongs to the ruling party, have easier access to the parliament, the ministers and even the PM. They have more resources. What about us, we are mere residents and we can only make noise via social media, hoping to win sympathy and support so that in some way, it’ll pressure the relevant authorities and not forgetting the government to do the right thing. Somehow, it’s getting clear. If the government is not stepping in and do what is socially and morally right, then it’s clear they do not have people’s well-being at heart. Then the next question is whose side are they on? It’s clear they are not on ours for now.
7. As always, I shall patiently wait to be corrected and be proven wrong, in hope that the relevant political leaders who finally exercise their moral and social responsibilities for the people who elected them.
Until that happens, the frightened and extremely frustrated (much more than the MP is feeling) people continue to battle the daily fear of leaving and coming home.
*Article first appeared on https://www.facebook.com/SaveJalanSuka/photos/a.291333750979460.65404.28...